TN: St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz: 98 vs 99

[Wizz]

I had single bottles of both the 98 and 99 St Hallett Blackwell, so time to put to the test the 98 vs 99 thing that is being talked about for Barossa. Which would show better?

Caveat: I have a light flu, so perhaps some leeway in the assessments here, although Mrs Wizz backs up the TN's and conclusions below.

St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 1999 Milk chocolate, vanilla, plum nose. The palate opens with a dose of Mocha, leather, and the first signs of development in the plummy fruit. Some ripe blackberry emerges over time, as does a mentholly touch. This isnt a superripe barossan fruit bomb, more elegant and structured, but there does seem to be a fair bit ofAmerican Oak here. Tannins are starting to resolve, and are a touch muddy - like the dregs of a plunger coffee. Acid starting to soften, and the length is adequate. If you like your choc/mocha this is your wine. Drink now to 2008. A very good wine.

And now the St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 1998 Nose is dark chocolate, ripe liqueured plums and a bit of alcoholic lift. Palate is also ripe forest berries, plum chocolate and vanilla, well supported by zippy acid that sticks out a bit initially and softens over an hour or so. The same fine tannins as the 99, but more of them. Seems less oaked than its younger sibling too. In the mouth this is a satisfying drink, coating the tongue and cheeks nicely with its flavours and textures. More elegant than the 99 for the lower apparent oak. Not overly complex and again far from a Barossa monster. A truly appealing drink, I like it a lot. Will hold for some time, but hard to tell what improvement is left. Drink now to 2010. I reckon this gets the nod over the 99, with its relative simplicity keeping it from being streets ahead.

So this is one example where (IMO) the 98 is showing better than the 99.

The back labels make an interesting read too. Without quoting chapter and verse, St Hallett seemed much more emthusiastic about the 98 and gave it a longer drinking window. I reckon they are justified.

cheers

Andrew

[George Krashos]

I have a magnum of the '96. How does that rate in comparison?

-- George Krashos